Cinematography Preprod Workflow
Basic steps for DoP to get shooting ready
This workflow is part of Production plan and defines repsonsibility of DoP and tasks/good practises needed to be done.
1 - Visual and emotional signatures
Based on script and discussion with the director create moodreal, reference photos, how should it feel like, define visual patterns, color pallette, preffered lenses, etc.
2 - Script breakdown
Creatze basic script breakdown into shots, just to have the basic idea of number of scenes and shots.
3 - Location list and scouting
Define set of locations based on the script. Consolidation might be necessary. Location scouting is done along with producer and director, might be done with help of reference pictures, sunseeker and google earth for visual scouting. See Location scouting
4 - Diagrams and shotlist
For each scene create an overhead diagram with actors, lighting and camera angles(shots). Template for overhead diagram in Adobe Illustrator can be found . Can be easily drawn also using http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/Creator
DIAGRAM:
Based on diagrams create simple shotlist and lighting diagrams. Those will be added to Shooting script (Technický scénář) see template and example here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15oiVpfk8f4zBrVlqwn6VFoMjsZFp1L1SrGGkP1HStfI/edit#gid=0
5 - Storyboarding - optional
For more complex shots/scenes or scenes with VFX storyboarding can be used when it s necessary to communicate the idea to more people.
6 - Prelight and shot tests after/during actors rehearsal.
Test the lighting setups and planned shot lists, including suggested CUT points. Ideally those could be added to ensure continuity. Discuss and test blocking with the director.
Test with actors during during actors rehearsal.
7 - Finalize shooting script (with Director)
It should include set of planned shots, verified by the director, including lighting diagrams and intended/possible moments for cutting in each shot.
Example/template of shooting script: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15oiVpfk8f4zBrVlqwn6VFoMjsZFp1L1SrGGkP1HStfI/edit#gid=0